When it comes to devices being used in the classroom, iPads and Chromebooks are battling it out for school district domination.
Both have only been around for a few years, but the two pieces of technology have made their way into students’ hands by the hundreds of thousands. The devices are now going up against each other, jockeying for market share and education devotees, as my colleague Michele Molnar described in a story earlier this year.
In an Education Week Twitter chat Wednesday from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time, we’re going to have two experts hash out why they think one device is superior to another when it comes to using ed-tech in the classroom. In one corner we’ll have Kyle Pace, an instructional technology specialist at the Lee’s Summit, Mo. school district (Side note: Pace was also featured last year as one of our exceptional Leaders to Learn From in the ed-tech area), who will extol the virtues of the Chromebook. “If you’re using Google Apps for Education, the Chromebook is a no-brainer. It integrates perfectly,” he said. Other great features? “The battery lasts all day and the technology does a great job of getting out of the way to let the focus be on learning.”
In the other corner, we’ll have Holly Clark, a long-time teacher who is an innovation specialist and a consultant with EdTechTeam, a company which helps schools and districts integrate technology into the classroom. Though she’s a fan of both Chromebooks and iPads, “I lean toward iPads,” she said, for a couple of reasons. Because it’s a tablet and not a laptop with a familiar keyboard, Clark believes teachers are inclined to be more creative with iPads. “They make teachers think outside the box. They really push the envelope for change,” she said. And “for younger kids, the touchscreen is really important. It makes it really easy for them to learn.”
So join us for this Twitter chat, Wednesday Dec. 17, from 8 to 9 p.m Eastern Time. Ask these two some questions. Chime in with why you love your Chromebook or iPad. Tell us about the creative things you’ve done with your device to help students boost their learning. Follow along with the discussion by using the hashtag #EWedchat. See you there.
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